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Statement by Karl A. Erb, director of the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs, on the Loss at Sea of Joshua Spillane

April 21, 2006

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The National Science Foundation, and especially the men and women of the U.S. Antarctic Program, offer condolences to the family of Joshua Spillane, who was lost at sea earlier this week in Antarctic waters while serving his country aboard the research vessel Laurence M. Gould.

The formal search for Spillane, a marine technician for Raytheon Polar Services Co., of Centennial, Colo., (NSF's Antarctic logistics contractor), was ended at 1800 (EDT) on April 19. He was discovered missing from the Gould on April 17. An exhaustive search for him had been underway that included the use of an Orion P-3 aircraft flown by the Argentinean Air Defense search and rescue force.

The Gould is slowly sailing northward and a search will continue en route, parallel to the ship's original course. The Gould is expected to arrive at Punta Arenas, Chile, on Saturday, April 22.

As a technician on Antarctic research vessels, Spillane served for 10 years in some of the world's most unforgiving waters. While there is no indication that weather or sea conditions played a role in this tragedy, his long career in this uninviting environment underscores his service. His dedication helped advance mankind's scientific knowledge of one of the world's final frontiers.

We wish to extend to his loved ones our gratitude for his service and our sympathy for their loss.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2017, its budget is $7.5 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 48,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards.